Republicans in the New York legislature had met three days before to met to choose a successor to William H. Seward as United States Senator. On the tenth ballot Harris gained a majority over Horace Greeley, and was nominated in the end unanimously. Three days later the full Senate voted 22-9 and the Assembly 88-31 for him over the Democrats' nominee Horatio Seymour. Harris served a single term. (By John Osborne)